Diaper rash is frustrating for both you and your baby. It’s frustrating for her because she doesn’t feel good, and it’s frustrating for you because, in some cases, it can be hard to get a case of diaper rash to go away.

Sure, there are medications you can buy over the counter that may be able to help with your baby’s diaper rash, but you’re reluctant to use artificial chemicals on your baby’s skin.

The good news is that there are a number of natural treatments for baby’s diaper rash that you may be able to use to give him some relief and give you some peace of mind:

Air out the diaper area. This is usually the first, and certainly one of the most natural treatments for baby’s diaper rash. Let your baby lie down on a towel or a blanket without a diaper. This will help the diaper area to dry out and to heal. Diaper rash is very often caused by excessive moisture on baby’s skin, and allowing your baby to dry out once or twice a day can certainly help to heal and even prevent diaper rash. You’ll also want to make sure that your baby’s elastic diapers don’t have bands around the legs that are too tight, as well. If you’re using cloth diapers, use natural laundry detergents and softeners that are sensitive to baby’s skin.

Consider a change to baby’s diet. Sometimes, diaper rash can be caused or aggravated by specific foods. If your baby has frequent diaper rash, consider changing formula. If you’re breast feeding, you can watch your own diet and avoid the kinds of foods that people tend to be allergic to such as nuts and berries, as well as spicy foods.

Consider an all-natural diaper cream. There are a number of all-natural diaper rash treatments on the market. Instead of chemicals like propylene-glycol, or sodium lauryl sulfate, these products are based on shea butter, avocado butter, aloe vera, or various herbs and natural oils.

Diaper rash is just one of those things that comes with having a baby. Most babies get diaper rash at some point or another, although some are especially prone to it. It can be frustrating when your baby has a bad case, because it makes her miserable and it can make you miserable for her.

You need to start out by identifying what it is that may be causing the diaper rash if you’re going to treat it properly and reduce how often your baby has it.

There are several things that are likely to cause diaper rash, including:

Excess moisture in your baby’s diaper area.

Prolonged exposure of baby’s skin to feces or urine.

Chafing of the diaper area due to poorly-fitting diapers.

Allergic reactions to food.

Irritation due to a specific chemical or a fabric.

Preventing diaper rash, in part, means identifying what may be causing it in the first place.

Here are some of the kinds of things that you can do to help prevent diaper rash:

If you use diapers with elastic around the legs, make sure they’re not too tight. There should be enough room for air to circulate in that area.

Change baby frequently so that her skin doesn’t suffer prolonged exposure to moisture or waste.

With cloth diapers, test out different fabric softeners and laundry detergents, as one of them may be responsible for causing the diaper rash.

If possible, let your baby go without a diaper for at least a little while each day. This helps to keep the area nice and dry.

There is even some evidence that tells us that breastfeeding your baby might actually be able to help keep him from having diaper rash. Breastfeeding is thought to change the levels of certain acids in your baby’s waste, as well as boost your baby’s reactions to infection and other irritations.

If your baby has severe diaper rash that’s causing her skin to become raw, or if her diaper rash is severe enough to make her inconsolable, you should talk with your health care provider about other ways to treat and avoid diaper rash.

In recent years, we’ve been inundated with information about why breastfeeding is best for babies. Most of the information outlines the many health benefits of breastfeeding, pointing out that your breast milk provides the best nutrition available for your baby.

Of course, we would never downplay the importance of providing your baby with the best nutrition. We would, however, point out that there are many benefits for both mom and baby which go beyond simple nutrition. Many of the most important benefits of breast feeding have nothing to do with the vitamins and nutrients provided in your milk. Consider the following:

Nursing provides comfort for your baby. While breastfeeding certainly isn’t the only way to comfort a baby when she’s scared or stressed, it is one of the best. Studies have shown that breastfeeding can help reduce the mother’s stress as well.

Bonding. Most breastfeeding mothers claim that breastfeeding gives them a special bond with their babies. While moms who don’t choose to or are unable to breastfeed can certainly bond with their babies, breastfeeding offers a closeness and bond that is unequalled.

Oxytocin release. Oxytocin is a hormone released with skin to skin contact, such as breastfeeding. This hormone has been shown to promote confidence and trust and to reduce fear. The release of oxytocin has also been shown to have a positive impact on mothers’ moods.

Social development. Though the reasons aren’t fully understood yet, studies have shown a correlation between breastfeeding and better social development during childhood (and even into adulthood).

There are many reasons to breastfeed your baby. While the health benefits alone are enough to make breastfeeding worthwhile, the intangible benefits are just as important.

There are many ways to bond with your baby. Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful. Your baby needs the nutrients in your breast milk. She also needs the affection, security and emotional bond which comes from breastfeeding. Babies can and will bond with you if you bottle feed them, but studies have consistently shown that breast is best for bonding just as it is for baby’s nutrition.

Some women experience problems breastfeeding, but most of these problems can be overcome. There is a wealth of information available on all common breastfeeding difficulties. Breastfeeding advocacy groups such as La Leche League provide counseling services and general breastfeeding help. If you experience trouble breastfeeding, ask your health care provider or a breastfeeding support group for help.